Fluid brake mechanism



April 13, 1937. 1 A, TOLMAN 2,077,080

FLUID BRAKE MECHANISM Filed July 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 13,1937. J. A. ToLMAN 2,077,080

n FLUID BRAKE MECHANISM Filed July 19, 1935 A` 2 sneets-sheet 2 PatentedApr. 13, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE 6 Claims.

Generically this invention relates to brakes, but it more especially isdirected to a braking mechanism wherein a iiuid is used as the brakingmedium.l One of the principal objects of this invention is the provisionof a new and improved fluid brake for automobiles, power drivenmachinery and the like. a

While fluid or hydraulic control means have been employed to effectoperation of braking mechanisms for automobiles and the like, thepresent invention relates to a different type of brake mechanism andfluid control, designed to eliminate frictional engageable elements,such as brake bands and the like, by employing the fluid itself as the`braking medium.

A further important object of this invention is the provision of abraking mechanism including a drum or casing adapted to carry a fluid,said` casing being mounted on and revoluble with the vehicle wheel,means carried by the drum for causing the uid to normally remainsubstantially relatively stationary, that is, rotate with the drum, andmeans mounted stationary with respect to the axle and its housing andoperable in braking direction to retard or stop the circulation of saidfluid, thereby checking or stopping the movement of the automobile inits particular direction of travel.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a fluid brakingmechanism including a fluid containing drum, and fluid control meanscoacting with said fluid and in conjunction therewith constituting thebraking elements, y said mechanism being applicable to vehicles alreadyin use, and Without material alterations to the existing drumstructures.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a uidbraking mechanism of this character in conjunction with each wheel,including a uid containing druin adapted to rotate with each of therespective wheels, a plurality of normally stationary fluid controlmeans mounted within each drum, and means for si- '45 multaneouslyoperating said control means to check or stop the circulation of saiduid when a retarding influence o f the brakes is desired.

Other objects of this invention are: to provide a fluid brake mechanismof this character, wherein the braking elements may be operated inbraking relation with the fluid in either direction, that is,irrespective of the direction of travel-of the wheels and fluid; meansfor preventing leakage of the fluid; and a simplified 5.3 structuralarrangement designed to permit ap- (cl. 18s-90) plication of the deviceto machines already in use Without material alterations to existingstructures.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, 5

the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangementof parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of referenceindicate like parts 10 throughout the several gures, of which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a wheel and brake drum housing.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail section on the line 3 3 of 15 Fig. 2 showing theblades in open position.

Fig. 4 is a detail view similar to Fig. `3 showing the blades inoperative or braking position. y

Fig. 5 is a detail section on the line 5-5 of Flg. 2. v 0

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the blades and itsoperating means.

By mv improved brake structure I have not only provided a uniquesimplied fluid braking mechanism,`I but by eliminating valve and other25 fluid agitating elements, and by causing the uid to rotate withthedrum and thereby remain substantially stationary with respectthereto, I have eliminated the heretofore prevalent heating of said uidduring the travel movement of the au- 30 tomobile,V and by providing aplurality of fluid gate or blade elements normally causing slightfrictional disturbance to the uid, but simultaneously movable by meanscontrolled by the operator to cause back pressure and retard the 35circulation of the fluid in conjunction with the vane means within thedrum to produce the desired braking effect, I have pro-vided the simple,yet effective hydraulic coupling or brake device `forming the subjectmatter of this invention.v 40

In the illustrated embodiment characterizing this invention there isshown an automobile axle structure A, wheel structure B, and fluid brakemechanism C.

The axle structure A comprises axle l and sta- 45 tionary housing 2 inwhich said axle is suitably journaled in ball bearings 3, and which isprovided with packing gland t. 'I'he free end of axle l extends beyondthe end of housing 2 and is provided with threaded nut 5 adapted tosecure 50 Wheel structure B to said axle when the same 1s .operativelypositioned thereon. Said structure B is, in the present instance, of thedisc wheel type and comprises the hub portion .t and disc Wheel portionl detachably secured in any suitable CII manner to said hub portion 6 sothat extra wheel units may be expeditiously interchanged as desired.

The fluid brake mechanism C and its mounting with respect to structuresA and B will now be described in detail. The closed casing or drum D ispreferably made in two parts 8 and 9. Part 8 is formed with acylindrical end wall I and adjacent its free edge with the right angularflange I I and, in the present instance, with an extension I2 adapted toseat in an angular recess I3 formed in the face of part 9. Parts 8 and 9are secured by a'plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts |4. Saiddrum D is mounted on housing 2 and at the inner edge of the centrallydisposed opening through which said casing extends, side 8 is formedwith a hub portion I5 extending beyond the opposite surfaces of saidside slightly spaced from the housing and terminating at its inner endin a right angular flange I6 adapted lto snugly t said housing. Theinner wall of said hub portion is threaded for engagement with thecorrespondingly threaded surface of the packing ring I1 mounted on saidcasing. Ring I1 is adapted to engage packing gland I8 so as to preventleakage of the uid I9 from said drum and to form with the an'ge I6 abearing surface for the drum, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Side 9 is formed with a hub portion 20 extending outwardly therefrom,spaced from said housing 2, and formed similar to hub I to threadedlyreceive packing ring 2| adapted to engage .and maintain in position asimilar packing gland I8. Mounted on housing 2 is a ring member 22adapted to be interposed between packing ring 2| and housing 2 formed atits inner edge with a countersunk portion 23 adapted to extend to theinner surface of side 9 and with its shoulder 24 engageable withshoulder 25 surrounding the opening in side 9 and constituting a stopfor said ring. The ring 22 extends beyond the outer end of packing ring2|I and is formed adjacent its outer edge with a thickened portion 26,said portion being internally countersunk to receive packing ring 21engageable with packing gland IB. Ring 21 is threadedly engageable withthreads 28 formed on housing 2 and is adjustably engageable with packinggland I8, and also maintains ring 22 in operative position. Integrallyformed with or suitably secured to said ring 22 at the inner edge of thethickened portion is an operating arm 29 for effecting rotative movementof said ring with respect to housing 2 for a purpose hereinafter morelfully explained. .It will thus be seen that packing rings I1, 2|, and21 adjustably secure their respective packing glands I8 in position andprevent leakage of the fluid I9 from drum or casing D, as will be clearwithout further discussion. In the present instance, integrally formedon the inner edge of ring 22 is a plurality of equi-spaced upwardly andinwardly extending arms 30 terminating at their free ends in yokes 3|for a purpose more fully appearing as the description proceeds.

The inner surface of side 8 is formed with a plurality, in the presentinstance eight, of radially extending vanes or ribs 32 extending fromhub member I5 to and across the inner surface of end wall I 0,constituting transverse end vane sections 32 and to a point spaced fromside 9 a distance equal to the width of said vane. Side 9 is formed witha corresponding number of vanes 33 adapted to form continuations of saidvanes 32 and sections 32 when sides ,8 and 9 are united by bolts I4, andthus forming centrally disposed rectangular U-shaped openings E.

An annular anchor member F comprising an inner ring portion 34 and anouter ring portion 35 of greater diameter than ring 34 and integrallyconnected therewith by spokes 36 is mounted on housing 2 adjacent angeI6 and secured to said housing by set screws 31. In the present instancering 35 is of slightly less width than the opening E and the vanes 32and 33 are corre.

spondingly widened at their lower ends, so as to form with said ring thebottom wall of the respective openings E.

At the bottom of opening E and in alignment with the respective vanes3`2 and 33, ring member 35 is formed with openings 38 adapted to receivepivot shafts 39 suitably formed on the lower ends of the respectiveblades 49 mounted in and operable to close the respective openings E, asand for a purpose hereinafter more fully appearing. Said blades 40 seaton and are semi-rotatable with respect to said ring 35 of member F. Eachof said blades is secured by an arm 4I threadedly,

keyed or otherwise secured to the free end ofshaft 39, and which extendslaterally therefrom and terminates in a right angular lug 42 adapted toengage in a respective yoke 3|, whereby movement of arm 29 will effectsimultaneous movement of said blades from open position, as shown inFig. 3, to closed position, as shown in Fig. 4. :3.

To facilitate the operation of blades 40 as braking elements inconjunction with fluid I9, the respective blades are formed with concavesides 43.

Formed intermediate the ring portions 34 and 35 and the respectivespokes 36 of anchor member F are an annular or circular series ofopenings G in each of which extends a lug 42 and yoke 3| for operatingthe respective blades 40. Each of the openings G extends to a pointbeyond opposite sides of the respective blades 40, so that while thefluid I9 will normally rotate with the rotating casing or drum and withrespect to the normally stationary blades 40, when said blades areoperated by lugs 42 and yoke 3| and framed by the openings E atpredetermined points in the angular movement of the casing, the flow ofthe liquid will be retarded or substantially stopped, according to theextent of the movement of said blades in fluid retarding direction, anda certain portion of such fluid will escape and flow through theopenings G, thereby preventing instant complete retardation of thecirculation of the fluid, and consequent abrupt locking of the casin'gand its supporting wheel as will be well understood.

Side 8 is adapted to seat on flange 6 of hub member 6 and is securedthereto by bolts 8 thereby uniting drum D and the wheel structure B intoa unitary structure so that said drum will rotate with the wheel andwith respect to housing 2.

The drum D may be filled with oil or other suitable fluid throughopening 44 closed by a plug 45 or other suitable means.

While the operation of the device would seem to be clear from the abovedescription, it might be well to further state that when the device isapplied to the respective wheels of an automobile and the arms 29suitably connected to an operating means (not shown) in reach of theoperatorl of the car, actuation of said operating means willsimultaneously operate the blades within the respective drums.

Since the mechanisms as applied to the respcctive wheels are identicalthe operation of one only,

as illustrated in Fig. 1, will be described in detail.

y It is apparent that when the blades I are in inoperative or open,position as clearly shown in Fig. 3, the uuid is in rum D win be causedto n rotate within the drum by the vanes 32, 33, and

sections 32', and with sught, :fictional Contact with blades 40 owing totheir position as slrown in Fig. 3. v'When it is desired to apply abraking positions, as will be apparent. It will thus be` seen, owingtotheir shape, that when the blades 40 are moved slightly' from theircomplete open position, the contact of the liquid with their concavefaces will tend to move them to complete closed position and tend tomaintain them in such ypositions by 'the force of the liquid towardstheir longitudinal centers in alignment with pivot shafts 39 incompressing or lretarding direction to transmit to said wheel a brakingeffect, the

extent of movement of the blades being controlled by arm 29 inaccordance with operating requirements. As the blades are moved in iluidretarding or braking direction theyv are framed by the 30 openings E atpredetermined points in the angu.-

lar movement of the casing to close said openings and partially orcompletely stop the circulating flow of the liquid, andif the blades aresuddenly brought to complete braking position locking of'the wheel byan-abrupt closing of the blades is tended to be prevented by the escape,under sudden pressure, of a certain amount of the lfluid throughopenings G of anchor. menber F. It will thus be seen how the circulationoi' the liq- 40 uid is controlled and that the operation of arm A .29will, as above explained, produce the same braking vefiect irrespectiveof the direction of travel of the wheel.

' From the above it is apparent that I have deli5 signed a fluid brakingmechanism, simple in construction, versatile in its adaptive use,applicable to automobiles already in use with slight alterations 4toexisting structures, yet manufacturable at a minimum of cost, andemcient for the purposes intended.

Although in practice I have found that the form of myinventionillustrated in the accompanying drawings 'andreferred to in theabove description, as the preferred embodimenato be the most eflicientand practical; yet,- realizing the conditions concurrent with theadoption of myainvention will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasizethat various minor changes in detail of construction, proportion andarrangement of parts, may be resorted to within'the scope of theappended claims without departing from or sacrificing any of theprinciples of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, and without enumerating variationsvand equivalents,

what I desire protected by Letters Patent is as set forth in thefollowing claims:

1. A fluid brake comprising a rotatable uidcontaining casing provided on its inner surface with a vane forming an openingpa movable bladeadapted to be framed by the opening at prede.-

termined points in the angular movement of the casing', means forarranging the angle of the.

blade Within the opening for controlling the circulation of the fluid,said means including an 5 oscillatory ring member, means in 'connectionwith the blade for preventing sudden locking of the casing, said meansincluding a ring member.

2. A iluidrbrake comprising a rotatable fluidcontaining casing providedon its inner surface .with a vane forming an opening, a double coni cavoblade adapted to be framed by the opening at predeterminedpoints in theangular movement =of the casing, means for moving said blade from op'ento closed position with respect to said opening, whereby the concavostructure is adapted in conjunction with the uid flow to aid in movingthe-blade to closed position and maintaining the same in such positionirrespective of thedirection of the circulation of the uid.

, 3. VA fluid brake comprising a rotatable fluidcontaining casing formedon its surface with Avanes forming openings, concavo blades adapted tobe framed by the openings at predetermined points in the angularmovement of the-casing, an oscillatory member, and means between themember and concave blades for controlling the circulation of the uid bymoving the blades from open to closed and from closed to open positionwith respect to the openings, and whereby the circulation of the uid inconjunction with the concavo surfaces assists in moving the blades toclosed position and maintaining the same in such position. Y

4. A fluid brake comprising a rotatable fluidcontaining -casing formedon its surface with a plurality of vanes forming openings, a bladeadapted to be framed by the openings at predetermined points in theangular movement of the casing, means for changing the angular positionof the blades to respectively open and closed vposi- .the openings, anda spider-like anchoring member supporting the blades and having acircular series of openings for the passage of the uid, whereby when theblades are moved suddenly to closed position with respect to theiropenings tending to retard the normal circulation of the fluid androtation of the drum, a portion of the fluid will escape through theopenings in said ring member so that abrupt locking of the casing` willbe prevented.

6. A fluid brake comprising a rotatable fluid containing casing formedon its surface with a plurality of vanes forming openings and adapted toeffect circulation of the fluid, a blade adapted to be framed by theopenings at predetermined points in the angular movement of the casing,means for changing the angular position of the. blades to respectivelyopen and closed positions, a blade supporting ring member having aseries of openings corresponding to the number of blades and extendingto points beyond opposite sides of the blades. whereby sudden locking ofsaid casing when the blades are brought to sudden closed position isprevented by the escape of a certain quantity of the 'iiuid underpressure through the openings in said Tingmember.

Jouir' A. TOLMN.

